Official announcements from US or South Korean defense departments

North Korea's Kim Jong Un Oversees Test of New Hypersonic Missile Flying 1,500 km at 12 Times Speed of Sound

Jan 7, 2025, 01:42 AM

North Korea has successfully tested a new intermediate-range hypersonic ballistic missile, according to state media reports. The test, overseen by leader Kim Jong Un and his daughter, was conducted to address security threats and aimed at deterring rivals in the Pacific region. The missile, launched from a suburb of Pyongyang, reportedly flew approximately 1,500 kilometers at a speed 12 times faster than the speed of sound, reaching an altitude of nearly 100 kilometers before descending to a second peak of 42.5 kilometers and hitting a target in the sea. The missile's engine used new carbon fiber composite materials and a new control system, enhancing its ability to penetrate dense defense barriers. Kim Jong Un described the test as a plan for self-defense, not an offensive action. This test marks North Korea's first missile launch of 2025 and comes amid heightened tensions in the region.